Michael Richard "Mike" Pence (born June 7, 1959) is the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 6th district, and previously the 2nd district, serving since 2001. He is a Republican candidate for Governor of Indiana in the 2012 election cycle. The 6th district covers much of Eastern Indiana. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Pence is the former Chairman of the House Republican Conference. After the 2010 election Pence said he would not run for re-election to Chairman of the Conference. On May 5, 2011, Pence officially announced that he will be seeking the Republican nomination for Governor of Indiana in 2012. Pence's announcement was anticipated by his resignation of his leading position in the GOP caucus in the House. He is considered the favorite for the Republican nomination.

Mike Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana. He attended Columbus North High School, graduated from Hanover College in 1981, and earned his J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law in 1986. While at Hanover, Pence joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, serving as his chapter's president.

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